South Africa's Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has sent heartfelt Lunar New Year wishes to Chinese communities globally, leveraging the February 2026 celebrations to strengthen cultural and economic bridges. Speaking from Cape Town, de Lille emphasized tourism's unique role as "a universal language connecting our peoples through shared experiences" amid ongoing efforts to revive post-pandemic travel flows.
The minister highlighted South Africa's 11 official languages, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and wildlife safaris as key attractions for Chinese travelers. This outreach follows a 15% year-on-year increase in Chinese visitors to South Africa in early 2026, with authorities aiming to double arrivals by 2028 through simplified visa processes and Mandarin-language tourism infrastructure.
De Lille noted: "Every spring roll shared in Johannesburg and every Peking opera performance in Durban deepens our mutual understanding." The tourism department plans to launch virtual reality previews of key attractions on Chinese social platforms ahead of peak travel seasons.
